MLB Rumors: Boston Red Sox, Colorado Rockies could be match for trade?

For now the Colorado Rockies and Boston Red Sox are both likely content to stand pat with their rosters. But could the two teams be a match for a trade sometime down the road this season?

That is the question posed by Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, as he also notes that the Rockies have been monitoring the prospects on the Double-A and Triple-A rosters for the Red Sox.

"April is usually too early to deal, but the Rockies are watching the Red Sox’ Double and Triple A teams very closely. The Rockies are off to a good start, so there are no pressing needs. Their starting pitchers have performed well. This could be looking down the road, but the intensity of the scouting this early is interesting. Assistant GM Mike Hazen said the Sox have not heard from the Rockies about a trade. The Red Sox’ outfield started sluggishly and the Rockies have a surplus of outfielders, but at this time nothing like that has been discussed.”"

Cafardo also notes that a deal for shortstop Troy Tulowitzki would seem far-fetched, which is to state the obvious with the promising future of Xander Bogaerts at that spot. As for that glut of infielders for the Rockies, it includes Charlie Blackmon, Brandon Barnes and Drew Stubbs. All three guys are athletic and fairly versatile.

At one point it seemed likely that Colorado would use a platoon with Blackmon and Stubbs in center field. With the outstanding play of Blackmon thus far (.398/.446/.663) and the solid play of Barnes, it might be that Stubbs has become the most likely to be traded.

Maddening in his inconsistency and a liability against right-handed pitching, Stubbs still brings a complete set of skills when he is right that might intrigue the Red Sox. The Rockies might be the most motivated to move Stubbs because of his $4.1 million cap number. There is nothing to see here yet, but it sounds like it is a situation worth monitoring.